Zverev withstands King challenge in 2am New York finish

Alexander Zverev remained composed as he overcame world number 168 Darian King in three sets in the first round of the US Open.

Alexander Zverev withstood a stern challenge from qualifier Darian King to progress to the second round of the US Open in a match that finished past 2am in New York.

World number 168 King appeared in his first grand slam match but was not overawed and made the in-form Zverev battle to a 7-6 (11-9) 7-5 6-4 victory in the early hours at Flushing Meadows.

With Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori absent from the year's final major, fourth seed Zverev has emerged as one of the players to beat at Flushing Meadows following titles in Washington and Montreal.

The 20-year-old racked up 62 errors but eventually showed why he is so highly rated, remaining composed to see off the tricky challenge of King and earn a second-round meeting with Borna Coric.

It was a sluggish start from Zverev, who was broken in the third game as King took a surprising 2-1 lead.